Category: Wedding Planning

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10 ideas for a brilliant bridal shower

Isn’t it odd how bridal showers have such a bad reputation? Despite all the effort and hard work that goes into planning one, not everyone is too keen on attending bridal showers. In fact, it isn’t uncommon for these events to end up as the sad prelude to a fantastic wedding. It is no wonder that the memories of the bridal shower are quickly washed away, especially when the wedding has a better chance of being a bit hit.

So, if you are in charge of planning a bridal shower for your bestie, we know you are up for quite a challenge. You will have to think extra-hard to give the girls at the party a fun-filled and exciting time. Since we understand your difficulty, we are here to help you overcome this challenge with a few brilliant ideas. We’ve crawled around the internet and collected what we think were the most impressive ideas. These should be enough to inspire you to plan your own. So, come along and find out what we’ve picked for you today!

#1 Have plenty of bite-sized treats

appetizer

Rather than planning an elaborate buffet or plated meal with lots of details and exquisite dishes, the idea is to keep it simple and stunning. Women love visual details, so you have to choose dishes that are as appetizing to look at, as they are tasty. And the smaller they are, the better they will go down. There is something so sinfully attractive about bite-sized food on neat cocktail sticks that is immensely tempting. The other good thing is that not only are they easy to whip up, they are also incredibly tasty. When you serve a platter of tiny delicious treats that are too small to resist, nobody will refuse trying it and you can be sure that they’ll enjoy the experience. Serve up a variety of items, so there is something that everyone fancies. This way, you’ll have an interesting array of delicacies, and it will be both practical and well-appreciated.

Here we have a link with recipes for not one or two, but twenty-two bite-size appetizers that are sure to be crowd pullers.  Check it out and make your pick from the lot.

#2 Choose a sweet but simple theme

party

Too many details can spoil the overall impact, and you may find yourself unable to bring every aspect together to create a cohesive effect. It is much better to stick to a simple theme, with just a few colors and details to focus on. Whether you aim for classic elegance or casual chic, keep it uncluttered. Make sure that you pick all the colored elements in a specific hue, so they all come together beautifully. Don’t use more than two bold colors, and add in plenty of neutrals like white, brown and gray to balance it out. Another point to remember is to stick with an idea, rather than with a design or motif, as it is easier to execute. For example, you can choose pink and flowers as the main subjects and build your theme around these two factors. It will also be easier to find matching elements that will do the job well. Some pretty impressive themes can be seen at the following links:

#3 Give the dashing bride special attention

tiara

The best way to make a bridal shower special, is to make the bride feel truly special. So, apart from planning a big celebration for her, make sure you also do something special to make her feel very important.

Just like there are special bride and groom chairs for the wedding, designate a special spot for the bride at the party, and decorate it to look very special. You could even set up a special area that is highlighted with signature décor to make it obvious. Give the bride a “bride-to-be” sash, that she will wear throughout the day! She may be shy, but trust us, she is going to love it. You could even give her a tiara or something special (but not looking tacky), for that little extra that sets her apart from the guests. Make sure to have her wear this and the sash with great pomp and show, and it will immediately set her spirits soaring and she will look forward to all that is in store for her.

#4 Have a couture cake

cake

You do not need a huge towering cake for the bridal shower, a small stylish one will do. If you are doing it yourself, keep it simple, but attractive with neat and crisp details that add a stylish touch to it. If you aren’t certain about doing the details in fondant, go with fail-safe choices like ribbons, cake toppers and other accessories that can easily dress up a simple cake. If you are ordering it, make sure it ties to the theme but doesn’t look too cluttered with too many details. Gourmet cakes are all the rage now, with pretty little details and designs being more in the limelight than the flavors. So, splurge on that. When placing the cake on the table, highlight it well, by arranging it between well-balanced, neat arrangements on either side. This article on the Knot shows us how a beautiful bridal shower cake should be. Take a look, we are sure you’ll have a tough time deciding which is the best!

#5 Or replace the single cake with an elaborate arrangement of fancy cupcakes

cupcakes

We found this brilliant idea on Real Simple and instantly fell in love with it. If there is something more impressive than a beautiful cake, it is a batch of many small, but beautiful cakes. Good-looking and delicious cupcakes are not only a delight to look at, they are also practical to serve at a bridal shower. Think of it this way—if you have a gourmet cake, you’ll be stuck with cutting and serving it for quite a while. On the other hand, with a tier of delicious cupcakes, the guests can help themselves to the one they fancy. You can also experiment with a variety of flavors instead of sticking with just one. This way, all the guests are likely to find one that they love without much trouble.

#6 Serve a signature drink that matches the party theme

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This is your chance to come up with an interesting beverage that will tie beautifully with the theme of the wedding. Since the crowd will be relatively small, it will not be too difficult to have signature cocktails served. You could even display them so they form a beautiful arrangement that will be noticed by the guests. Pay attention to the smaller details, like choosing a beautiful garnish and dressing up the rim with colored sugar crystals, for that luxurious finish. You can make it interesting by matching the color and flavor to the weather, the color and also keeping the bride’s favorite tastes in mind. Also, set up the beverage station separately from the rest of the food arrangement. Consider using custom name tags and interesting décor arrangements that match the theme. If you are unsure about whether it will go down well with all the guests, you can also set up two cocktail drinks of different tastes, so that there is at least one that everyone is bound to choose. From refreshing Grapefruit and mint mojitos to pretty pink lemonades, you will find a range of brilliant bridal shower cocktail recipes on the Martha Stewart website, here.

#7 Have a dress code

Bridesmaids 4
Image Credits: outreachr.com, via Flickr, CC BY 2.0

Most women love being part of a theme. So, make sure the guests at the bridal shower also have a chance to participate in a theme by providing them a dress code. Keep it simple, so that nobody has trouble finding an outfit that will be suitable. Either go with a color, or give a specific design type like polka dots or stripes somewhere in their outfit, so they have some flexibility in choosing how to incorporate this into their dressing style. The other benefit of having a specific dress theme is that it will unify the party and everyone will naturally be curious to find out how the others have chosen their looks, to fit the suggested theme. It will be an ice-breaker, and can help ensure that your party pictures look very interesting because of this unifying factor. Simple dress color codes that are bound to make it easy for everyone are black, white or silver. It doesn’t even have to be in the dress, you can ask them to incorporate the color or design factor anyway. This may be with an accessory like a clutch or a belt, or else with the dress design or embellishment itself. Or you could ask all the guests to present themselves in a chosen style, like Wild West or vintage 90’s style. This article on the Bridal Guide gives you a quick look at the some color options that look great. Our personal favorite was the red and pink ombre code that was ravishing!

#8 Make it magical with things that shimmer, float and hang from above

lantern

Anything that doesn’t isn’t fitted to the ground has a magical charm to it. So, make the most of this idea, by including décor items that hang freely or are suspended in the air. You can consider lanterns, hanging flower balls and even floating balloons in a chosen color to create this magic. Don’t shy away from the idea even if you are conducting an outdoor event. Place the seating under a tree, and have hanging items like lanterns and candle holders suspended from the branches. If this is not practical, consider using table centerpieces with floating helium balloons that rise above the eye-level for an equally attractive effect. Do glitter in the right doses, and use crystals and stones to add a touch of sparkle, and we are sure the bride will love the element of fantasy associated with the entire setting. Mix this up with displays that are placed low, and the impact will be doubled. So, plan to have your decorations kept both high and low, at various levels, for a stunning effect.

#9 Make the setting fragrant

perfume

Do you often associate certain events or places with lovely smells that you can still remember, when you just think of them? Crucial to setting the ambiance, make sure that your venue not only looks great, but smells awesome too. Choose a signature scent that is bound to be pleasant, and make sure that the guests get a fair whiff of this scent from the minute they are at the party. Guests often pick on a scent sub-consciously and this plays a great role in making the memories of the day interesting. So, give them an olfactory sensation by choosing a scent like vanilla, cinnamon, rose or sandalwood and adding this odor in lavish doses to the venue. You can do this using scented candles, air fresheners and pot pourri. Perfumed spray can be used on the table linen and napkins. Also, choose flowers that complement the main scent and have the bridal party wear a scent that blends well with the overall fragrance. More tips on adding a fragrance to your venue can be found at this page on Easy Weddings.

So, now you are all equipped to plan a bridal shower with a difference. To pick your attire for this big event that you will be hosting for your dear friend or relative, make sure to browse through our online evening dress catalog at Best for Bride.

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Oops! That’s Awkward—Our guide to navigating 7 awkward wedding planning situations

I like to compare wedding planning to a mine that’s waiting to explode. The potential for problems is huge! Every couple faces at least a few awkward moments when planning their wedding. Many assumptions may be made that you cannot oblige to, you may have to say no on occasions, and where people are concerned there is no saying who can feel offended about what!

Here are 7 real sticky situations that you will most likely have to handle during your wedding planning process. We’ve also included the best possible solutions you can consider to make it as easy as possible.

#1 Tell a friend or relative that they are not in the wedding party

It could be that everyone thinks you are fond of them. Add that to the fact that  you have a huge friend circle and an equally big family, it is likely that there may be at least a friend or relative who assumes they will be in the wedding party. If there are on the wedding party list, fine! If you haven’t included them, you have a situation to handle!

It isn’t easy telling someone that they are to be a guest and not in the wedding party. The best way to handle the problem is to take care of it as soon as you doubt your friend or cousin assumes they are in without you ever mentioning it. Tell her directly that as much as you would love to have her in the party, the situation is such that you would prefer to have her enjoy the wedding as a guest instead. You could offer a valid explanation, like you want to keep the wedding party small. (Only if this is a fact! It will harm your relationship even more if she ends up seeing a dozen bridesmaids on the day, and she alone isn’t one). Make it clear that you value your relationship with her a lot, and would love to have her involved in the wedding in any other way possible. Stress that you would not want this to harm your relationship in any way, and be genuine with your words. We are sure she’ll understand if she is a sensible and reasonable girl.

#2 When you’d rather have cash

Many couples struggle with telling their guests that they’d rather have cash or gift coupons, than gifts that wouldn’t help them. This could be because money would help them pay off a loan, or they could use it on their honeymoon, or because they would like to buy an expensive item like a vehicle. In all these cases, money would really help.

If you are in any of these situations, we know how you could be whether you ought to or not  convey this message to your guests. Well, we think you should! First step, set up your wedding website, where you will be sharing your wedding registry information. Next, add a “gift cash towards xxx” as one of the top options in the registry and link it to your bank account. Share the website wedding registry with your contacts, so they are directed towards the page that prioritizes what you’d like to have, in a specific order.

The other option is to link your wedding registry to sites like Tendr , that allows guests to pick cards and send it with their well wishes to the couple. Now, if a guest were to ask you in person about your preferences, they would ideally be asking because they really want to get you something you want. So, don’t hesitate to tell them that you are saving up for whatever you are. If they are comfortable giving you cash, you can hope they will once they know of this.

#3 Telling your parents (or in-laws) that you want something different

Isn’t it funny how so many parents and their children fight over how the wedding should be held or planned, from the moment the planning is in progress? It is not too often that we see couples who want a modern, relaxed wedding with interesting and unique elements, while their parents would rather have a traditional-style formal wedding that can never go wrong. If the parents on either side are sharing the expenses, we know how quickly tempers can soar and all those involved can end up in a foul mood.

Rather than locking horns with your families, we suggest that you handle such situations tactfully. First, consider if you can do anything to accommodate your family’s ideas. If not the whole thing, if you can incorporate at least a few ideas, they will feel a lot better. Then, decide upon the things that you refuse to compromise on. When you present your final idea to the family, first tell them which of their suggestions will be included in the wedding. This will calm the atmosphere to a great extent. Then tell them what the rest of the plans are, and also that it is your wedding and you wouldn’t really be happy if these details weren’t part of it. So, request them to understand and convey how grateful you are for all they are doing.

#4 When a relative wants to take over as a wedding vendor

Yes, we’ve all been there, when a budding photographer in your family wants to be in-charge of the wedding photography, or an enthusiastic aunt wants to bake the wedding cake. It may be a bad idea to hand them the job unless these people are professionals. Now, even when they are professionals who are used to doing these for weddings, you may not agree with their style of work or may not be happy about giving them the responsibility for a range of reasons.

After all, working with a relative or friend is not the same as working with a vendor who you’ve hired for the job. You have to be cautious about everything you say, as you two have a relationship that could be hurt. In worst cases, they may disagree with what you want and even do things they think best. But, it may sometimes be a good idea, if they will offer you a discount or if you are really fond of the way they handle things. Unless this is the case, you should learn to say “No” to their offer diplomatically.

You can tell them you would love to have them handle the job, but you have already decided on another vendor. Or, the better option is to tell them that you don’t want to hire them for your wedding as you want them there as a guest, and not working all day and unable to participate or enjoy the wedding as they should. This clearly conveys that you value their presence, and if they appreciate it genuinely, this should put an end to the discussion.

#5 Saying No to guests you cannot afford to have

There’s this scene in the sitcom “Castle”, where Castle and Beckett mention to his mother that they were working on the guest list for the wedding, expecting her to suggest how they reduce it. In the blink of an eye, she rushes off to bring out her own guest list for the wedding!

Don’t be startled if you find the same thing happen in your case! Many couples are faced with the tough decision of saying no to guests that they cannot have at their wedding. If parents are paying, or if friends are pushovers who must invite people on their behalf, the situation is anything but pleasant.

We suggest that you be honest when you tell your parents, relatives or friends why it simply isn’t feasible to have any more guests than you have planned. Since your parents will anyway be inviting at least a few people, please give them a specific number beforehand. They can then prioritize who goes on the list and who can be left out. Make your mind up about how far you can stretch with any extra additions, and make sure you stick to it. After all, your wedding is all about having the people who matter the most to you. It is not about having a huge party where you hardly know half the faces there, or is it?

#6 Planning your bridesmaid’s dress budget

One of the reasons many women dread being asked to be a bridesmaid, is the financial burden that comes along with it. Let’s face it, bridesmaids have to pay for a dress that they may not like at all, pay for the accessories, spend on the bachelorette, bridal shower and gift for the bride. All this will take a chunk out of their savings. It is worse if they are still in college or have their financial constraints.

So, the best thing you can do is be reasonable when deciding what your bridesmaids should wear. Our suggestion is to be flexible, and consider a range of choices in dresses, so your bridesmaids can pick the easiest one on their pockets. Instead of having them dress up in matching outfits, think out of the box, and go with the mix ‘n’ match trend. This gives them the freedom to choose from the choices you have shortlisted. It is also likely that they will pick a dress that they can use again.

A good friend would also consider easing their financial burden by paying for the bridesmaid accessories or hair and makeup. Now, if you have been a bridesmaid at all these girls’ weddings previously, and they weren’t half as considerate, we think it is up to you to decide how to handle the situation. It wouldn’t be wrong if you kept their expenses similar to what you had to incur if this is the case. Else, think of what you can do to help out, maybe make use of sales and discounts or keep your dress selection reasonable so they do not begrudge you for your choices later.

#7 Talk money with your parents or in-laws

You think you’ve heard your parents mention sometime in the past, that they’ve put aside a certain amount for your wedding expenses. But do you ask for it once you are engaged and planning the wedding? Is it appropriate to bring up the topic? Well, it’s mom and dad, and if you are certain there’s money set aside for you, it shouldn’t be wrong to confirm so you can plan the wedding accordingly.

Ideally, they should bring the topic up if they have any such plans. So, it may not always be best to bring up the topic yourself. If they are quiet, it may be because something’s changed and not because they’ve forgotten about it. Never assume that they will pay, and go about planning your wedding based on this assumption. If they disagree, don’t feel entitled to it and have your plans go bust. Instead, share the wedding plans you have in mind and the quotes you collect from vendors. They will be more comfortable mentioning what they want to contribute when you do it this way.

If there is no talk about the money at all, you can either ask them what happened to the fund they put aside (that is, if you are sure they have), or ask them if they could help and you could repay it later.

As we said earlier, weddings are tricky events that can cause so much stress to any bride and groom. Nevertheless, it is important always to keep the big picture in mind. When you think of the priorities in your life and how you can celebrate the event that brings you and your partner together forever, you can tide over any awkward situation and leave it out of your mind forever.

To help you with everything you need for your wedding, including your wedding dress, attire for your wedding party, accessories, décor, cakes and even flowers, visit us at Best for Bride. We have everything you need.

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7 Insanely Useful Ideas to Pamper and Prep Your Groom For Your Wedding Day

7 Insanely Useful Ideas to Pamper and Prep Your Groom For Your Wedding Day

Don’t we often forget that there are two people who are special on the wedding day? Yes, it’s a fact! All of us tend to focus entirely on the bride and all that she needs to get set for her big wedding day. Isn’t it a pity that her Prince Charming is often overlooked, and enters the scene pretty much just on the wedding day?

So, this time we decided to shine the spotlight on the bridegroom, for a change. So, brides, listen up! This article is for your soon-to-be husband! After all, it’s a milestone event for him too, and you could offer some help in the grooming department, to ensure he looks his very best on the big day.

Let us first look at some advice on the basics that are to be taken care of.

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What To Do When Wedding Guests Cancel At The Last Minute [2024]

What To Do When Wedding Guests Cancel At The Last Minute

It is common courtesy to RSVP, whether you will be attending a wedding or not. There is a purpose to it, as it helps the couple make their wedding plans accordingly. However, a last-minute cancellation not only results in money being wasted and seating arrangements threw off but is plain inconsiderate.

As a guest, if you are not sure that you will attend the wedding, it is polite to inform the couple of this. Mention that you will confirm at a later date, and make sure you do. It isn’t right to expect them to accommodate you at the last minute when they have already planned the final details of the wedding. On the same note, it isn’t right to tell them that you will be attending and then just throwing their plans off.

Unfortunately, not all guests are great at sticking to what they say in their RSVPs. So, how do you—the couple—handle this situation? Here is some help.

wedding venue
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